Vise including fluid pressure clamping means

ABSTRACT

A screw operated work holding vise including means for permitting rotation of the screw to bring the vise jaws into proximate engagement and means for using fluid pressure to clampingly engage the vise jaws. The vise is provided with a housing rigidly secure thereof, the housing having a stepped bore for receiving the end of the screw and for receiving a piston in a splined relationship with the screw. The piston and the stepped bore of the housing define a pressure chamber such that pressure therein will create an axial force on the piston and a consequent axial clamping force by the screw. The splined relationship between the screw and the piston also permits rotational forces to be transmitted to the screw. Means are further provided for adapting a vise to incorporate the force transmitting means of the invention.

United States Patent [191 [in 3,9

Sessody 5] Dec. 23, 1975 1 i VISE INCLUDING FLUID PRESSURE Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith CLAMPING MEANS Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James E. Nilles ABSTRACT A screw operated work holding vise including means for permitting rotation of the screw to bring the vise jaws into proximate engagement and means for using fluid pressure to clampingly engage the vise jaws. The vise is provided with a housing rigidly secure thereof, the housing having a stepped bore for receiving the end of the screw and for receiving a piston in a splined relationship with the screw. The piston and the stepped bore of the housing define a pressure chamber such that pressure therein will create an axial force on the piston and a consequent axial clamping force by the screw. The splined relationship between the screw and the piston also permits rotational forces to be transmitted to the screw. Means are further provided for adapting a vise to incorporate the force transmitting means of the invention.

i 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 4 3,927,872

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,927,872

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 3 of 4 VISE INCLUDING FLUID PRESSURE CLAMPING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a screw operated vise and means for driving the screw to clampingly engage the vise jaws. Vises of the type referred herein generally include a pair of vise jaws, a rotatable screw to bring the vise jaws into clamping engagement with an article held therebetween, and means for causing rotation of the screw.

The present invention is an improvement over such prior art vises in that it provides fluid pressure clamping means acting on the screw in addition to means for rotating the screw. thereby providing fluid pressure clamping forces to be applied to the vise jaws. The invention is a further improvement over the art in that it also provides means for modifying existing prior art vises to incorporate fluid pressure clamping means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a mechanically and hydraulically operated vise including a combination of l means for transmitting a rotational force to the lead screw to bring the vise jaws into a proximate clamping position and (2) a fluid pressure transmitting means for creating an axial force on the lead screw to provide the clamping force on the vise jaws.

A more specific aspect of the invention provides a vise of the above type having a housing rigidly attached to the vise for receiving the end of the lead screw which is opposite that end connected to the vise jaws and for receiving a rotationally and axially driven piston. The end of the lead screw and the piston are held in axially aligned abutting relationship and in splined engagement. The splined engagement of the driven piston and lead screw pennits rotation of the piston to be transmitted to the lead screw. The housing and piston include cooperating means for forming a fluid pressure chamber therebetween in such a manner that the piston can be driven axially toward the lead screw by fluid pressure therein and such that the lead screw will clampingly engage the vise jaws.

The present invention also includes means for adapting an existing screw operated vise to include means for applying a fluid pressure clamping force to the screw. The adapting means include means to clampingly engage an integral part of the vise and to threadably receive a housing which in turn receives the end of the lead screw and the piston.

An object of the present invention is to add means providing fluid pressure actuated clamping force to a screw operated vise. The invention is particularly advantageous when the vise is used to repetitively receive similar objects and to hold them in clamped engagement. The vise jaws can first be brought into proximate engagement by rotation of the lead screw and then similar objects can be rapidly and repetitively received in cyclical clamping engagement by actuation and deactuation of the fluid pressure means. Avoiding rotation of the lead screw during each cycle of operation substantially reduces the time required to clampingly engage each piece in the vise. Furthermore, since the apparatus of the present invention employs hydraulic or pneumatic clamping forces to clampingly engage an article therein. such clamping forces can be accurately and consistently applied. thereby preventing damage to articles being clamped. The apparatus of the present invention is also particularly advantageous because existing vises or clamping means can be readily modified to incorporate a fluid pressure clamping means. The apparatus also permits the vise to be operated merely by mechanical rotation of the screw and without the application of fluid pressure, if desired.

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention and by reference to the drawings. The invention encompasses each of the modifications which will be apparent to those skilled in the art and should not be viewed as limited to the two embodiments of the invention particularly set out in the drawings and specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vise incorporating the fluid pressure force transmitting means of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side elevation view taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the invention wherein an adapter is used to incorporate the fluid pressure force transmitting means to a vise; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a vise 2 having a vise base 5 and a pair of jaws 4 and 6, jaw 4 being rigidly supported by the vise base 5 and jaw 6 being movable toward and away from the jaw 4. Jaw 6 is rigidly attached to a movable block 8 which is slideably supported for reciprocating movement by a plate 10 and a lead screw 12. The lead screw 12 is threadably received in a bore (not shown) in the block 8 in such a manner that rotation of the screw will create axial movement of the block 8 and jaw 6 toward or away from the jaw 4.

The vise 2 also includes a housing 14 which is integrally attached to a thrust reaction member 13 which extends upwardly from the vise base 5. As best shown in FIG. 2, the lead screw 12 includes a generally cylindrical non-threaded end 16 received in the housing 14. The housing 14 includes a stepped bore 24 including a large threaded opening 26 and a small diameter bore 28. The housing 14 also includes a bore 27 having substantially the same diameter as the non-threaded end 16 for receiving the end 16 therein. The lead screw 12 includes an integrally formed annual collar 32 located approximately mid-way along the length of the end 16 and of a diameter substantially the same as that of bore 28 but slideably receivable therein. The end 16, the annular collar 32 and the housing 14 define an annular chamber which houses a coil spring 36. The coil spring 36 is disposed between the housing 14 and the collar 32 in such a manner that it biases the lead screw 12 to the right as seen in FIG. 2 and against the end surface 66 of a piston 46 in a manner to be described hereafter. A washer 37 is disposed around the lead screw 12 and between the coil spring 36 and the housing 14 to facilitate rotation of the coil spring 36 with the lead screw 12. The end 30 of the lead screw 12 adjacent to the annular collar 32 includes a plurality of generally flat sides such that its configuration is noncylindrical and can be received in splined relationship in 3 a bore 68 in the piston 46.

The large threaded opening 26 of the housing I4 threadably receives therein a threaded projecting flange 40 of a coupling member 42. The coupling member 42 includes therein a stepped bore 44 for axially slidably and rotatably receiving the piston 46. The stepped bore 44 includes a smaller bore 52 for receiving a shaft 54 of the piston 46 in generally fluid-tight relationship. and includes a cylinder 48 for receiving a generally annular collar portion 49 of the piston 46 to define a fluid pressure chamber 56. A washer 47 is provided around the shaft 54 and between the annular collar 49 and the coupling 42. The coupling 42 includes an annular groove therein for receiving a resilient sealing ring 53 to form a fluid-tight connection with shaft 54, and the annular collar 49 also includes an annular groove 55 for receiving resilient sealing ring 57 therein for insuring a fluid-tight connection between cylinder 48 and annular collar 49. The coupling 42 includes a fluid passage 58 having a threaded outer end 62 for connection with a fluid pressure source 60 and having an inner end 64 in fluid communication with said fluid pressure chamber. Fluid pressure from the fluid pressure source 60 received in the fluid pressure chamber 56 will result in an axial force on the piston 46 to the left as shown in FIG. 2.

As previously stated, the piston 46 includes an end surface 66 which is received in abutment against the annular collar 32 of the lead screw 12 and also includes a generally noncylindrical bore 68 having an inside configuration for receiving the noncylindrical end of the lead screw 12 in splined relationship. Rotation of the piston 46 thus results in a rotational force being applied to the lead screw 12. Alternatively, the bore 68 in the end of the piston 46 may be cylindrical and receive therein a bushing (not shown) having a noncylindrical inner surface for receiving in spline relationship the noncylindrical shaft end 30 of the lead screw 12. The bushing can be secured in the bore 68 by a pin or set screw. Since the end surface 66 of the piston 46 is in abutment with the annular collar 32, axial movement of the piston 46 to the left, as shown in FIG. 2, caused by fluid pressure applied to the fluid pressure chamber 56 will result in complementary axial movement of the lead screw 12. The coil spring 36 consistently biases the lead screw 12 into splined engagement with the bore 68 of the piston 46 and also functions to urge the lead screw 12 to the right and separate the vise jaws when fluid pressure in fluid chamber 56 is released. The end 72 of the piston 46 opposite that in engagement with the lead screw 12 is noncylindrical and includes a plurality of flat surfaces 59 such that the piston 46 may receive a crank or other means for applying a rotational force thereto.

In operation, when the piston 46 is rotated by a crank or other similar means, the splined relationship between the bore 68 and the noncircular end 30 of the lead screw 12 causes rotation of the lead screw. The jaws 4 and 6 of the vise 2 can thus be moved into a proximate relationship with an article to be clamped therebetween. Fluid pressure may then be applied from a fluid pressure source 60 through the fluid passage 58 and into the pressure chamber 56 forcing the piston 46 to the left if viewed as in FIG. 2. This results in an axial force generated on the annular collar 32 by the end surface 66 of the plunger 46 and a consequent axial force on the lead screw 12. The vise jaws 4 and 6 are thus brought into a clamping engagement.

If a plurality of articles having a relatively uniform size are to be clamped by the vise jaws it is thus possible to repetitively and rapidly apply and release clamping force by merely applying and releasing fluid pressure in the fluid pressure chamber 56. When the fluid pressure in pressure chamber 56 is released the coil spring 36 causes the lead screw 12 and vise jaw 6 to reciprocate away from the clamped article, thus releasing the article from the vise FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention wherein an adapter is provided to enable conversion of a screw operated vise to one including a fluid pressure operated clamping means in combination with the screw operation means. The elements of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 which are similar to the elements shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown by similar numbers primed.

The vise 2' shown in FIG. 3 generally includes a pair of jaws 4' and 6' and an axially movable block 8. The block 8' includes a threaded bore (not shown) which receives therein a lead screw 12' in such a manner that rotation of the lead screw 12' will cause translation of the block 8' to either clampingly engage or disengage the jaws 4' and 6. The vise 2 also includes an integral thrust reaction number I3 extending upwardly from the vise base 5' and designed to support the end of the screw 12 opposite that received in the block 8'.

The invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 shows an adapter means 20' for rigidly attaching a housing 14' to the thrust reaction member 13' such that the vise 2' can be modified to include fluid pressure force transmitting means. In order to modify the vise 2' for use with the fluid pressure force transmitting means of the present invention, the original lead screw of the vise 2' is replaced with a lead screw 12' which includes an integrally attached non-threaded end 16' to be received in the housing 14'. One end of the screw 12 is threadably received in the block 8' and the other end 16' is received and supported by a combination of the thrust reaction member 13', a mounting plate 11', a housing mounting plate 9' and by the housing 14. The mounting plate 11 and the housing mounting plate 9', which support the housing 14', are received on opposite sides of the thrust reaction member 13' and are clampingly secured thereto by bolts 15'. The mounting plate 11' and the housing mounting plate 9' each include a central bore 17' for receiving the end 16' of the lead screw 12' therethrough. In order to prevent binding of the lead screw 12 the respective ends of the mounting plate 11' and housing mounting plate 9' are maintained in accurate spaced relationship with respect to each other by bushings 18' surrounding each of said bolts 15 and by a pair of bearings 21' received in bores in each side of the thrust receiving member 13' and in respective opposed bores in the mounting plate 11' and the housing mounting plate 9'. The bearings 21' are prevented from rotating by a pin 39' extending through bores in each bearing 21' and in member 13'.

The housing mounting plate 9' includes a stepped bore 23' therethrough having a smaller portion 17' for receiving the end 16 of the lead screw 12' and a' threaded larger portion 27 for threadably receiving therein a threaded extension 25' of the housing 14'.

As has been described with respect to the vise shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing I4 includes a stepped bore 24' having a small diameter bore 28 for receiving the annular collar 32' around the lead screw I2 and a larger threaded opening 26' for threadably receiving a coupling 42'. The housing 14' also receives a piston 46' axially aligned and in end to end contact with the end 16' of the lead screw 12'. The coupling 42 includes a cylinder 48 for receiving an annular collar portion 49' of the piston 46. The annular collar portion 49' of the piston 46' defines with the coupling 42 a fluid pressure chamber 56' which is communicated by a fluid passage 58' to a source of fluid pressure 60' such that the piston 46' may be axially driven by said fluid pressure. The piston 46' also includes a noncylindrical end 72' extending out of the coupling 42 for receiving a rotational drive means and a noncylindrical bore 68 in its end opposite end 72' for receiving in splined relationship therewilh a noncylindrical projection 30 of the lead screw l2v As with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. l and 2, rotation of the plunger 46' will result in rotation of the lead screw 12' because of the splined connection between them. Furthermore, fluid pressure conducted into the fluid pressure chamber 56' from a fluid pressure source 60' will drive the piston 46 to the left and will cause the end surface 66' of the plunger 46 to abut the annular collar 32' and force screw [2' to move axially causing a clamping engagement of the jaws 4' and 6'.

The adapter means shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 thus readily facilitates the conversion of a screw driven vise to incorporate a fluid pressure clamping mechanism. Such conversion requires only the replacement of the lead screw and the addition of the force transmitting apparatus of the present invention and means to clamp the force transmitting means to the upwardly extending support member of the vise.

RESUME The apparatus of the present invention thus provides means to be used in combination with a screw operated vise for applying fluid pressure clamping force to the vise jaws. Using the fluid pressure clamping means of the present invention to provide the clamping forces of the vise increases the speed of engagement and disengagement of the jaws thus increasing the speed of operation of the vise and also facilitates the application of accurately controlled forces, The present invention also provides means to adapt existing screw operated vises to include these advantages without requiring unduly complicated or costly mechanisms to be incorporated in the vise. Existing screw operated vises can be converted to include fluid pressure clamping apparatus without necessitating costly machining or other expenses because the invention is easily received on a screw operated vise and specifically provides an uncomplicated means to rigidly clamp the fluid operated clamping means of the invention to an existing vise.

The apparatus of the invention also permits the vise jaws to be brought into clamping engagement mechanically merely by rotation of the screw and without the application of fluid pressure if desired.

I claim:

I. A workholding vise of the type having a base, a fixed jaw at one end of said base and a shiftable jaw slideably mounted on said base. a fixed thrust reaction member fixed to said base at the end thereof opposite to said fixed jaw, a threaded lead screw extending from said reaction member and engagable at one end with said shiftable jaw for positioning the latter relative to said fixed jaw. a housing attached to and extending from said reaction member and having a bore and a larger opening concentric therewith, a coupling securely engaged in said opening, said coupling having a bore therein which is concentric with said bore in said housing, said lead screw being slideable in said bore of said housing, and a piston located in said coupling and having an end extending therefrom, said end having means for attachment to an adjusting handle for rotating said piston, means for connecting said piston and said lead screw whereby rotation of said piston also rotates said lead screw and whereby said lead screw can move axially relative to said adjusting member, said piston slideably located in the bore of said coupling to thereby form an expansible fluid chamber therewith, passage means extending to said chamber and through said coupling for introducing a pressurized fluid to said chamber to thereby cause axial sliding movement of said piston in said coupling and consequent axial movement of said lead screw whereby said shiftable jaw can be brought into clamping engagement with said fixed aw.

2. The vise set forth in claim 1 wherein lead screw has a non-circular end which is opposite to said one end and wherein said piston includes a non-circular recess in an end opposite the end having means for attachment to an adjustment handle, said recess receiving said non-circular end to comprise said means for connecting said piston and said lead screw.

3. The vise set forth in claim 1 wherein said lead screw includes a radially extending annular collar intermediate its length, said collar being slideably received in the bore in said housing and wherein a spring means is disposed between said collar and said housing biasing said screw against said piston.

4. The vise set forth in claim 1 including a pair of spaced apart attaching plates rigidly and removably attached to said reaction member, one of said plates having a threaded engagement with said housing for detachably securing said housing to said plate.

5. A workholding vise of the type having a base, a fixed jaw at one end of said base and a shiftable jaw slideably mounted on said base, a fixed thrust reaction member fixed to said base at the end thereof opposite to said fixed jaw, a threaded lead screw extending from said reaction member and engagable at one end with said shiftable jaw for positioning the latter relative to said fixed jaw, said lead screw having a non-circular end opposite to its said one end and said lead screw also having a radially extending collar intermediate its length, a housing attached to and extending from said reaction member and having a bore and a larger threaded opening concentric therewith, a coupling threadably engaged in said threaded opening, said coupling having a bore therein concentric with said bore in said housing, and a piston located in said coupling and having an end extending therefrom, said end having means for attachment to an adjusting handle for rotating said piston, said piston also having a non-circular recess for the reception of said non-circular end of said lead screw whereby rotation of said piston also rotates said lead screw and whereby said lead screw can move axially relative to said piston, said piston slideably located in the bore of said coupling to thereby form an expansible fluid chamber therewith, passage means extending to said chamber and through said coupling for introducing a pressurized fluid to said chamber to thereby cause axial sliding movement of said piston in said coupling and consequent axial movement of said lead screw whereby said shiftable jaw can be brought 7 into clamping engagement with said fixed jaw.

6. The vise set forth in claim 1 including a pair of spaced apart attaching plates rigidly and removably attached to said reaction member, one of said plates having a threaded engagement with said housing for detachably securing said housing to said plate.

7. A workholding vise of the type having a base, a fixed jaw at one end of said base and a shiftable jaw slideably mounted on said base, a fixed thrust reaction member fixed to said base at the end thereof opposite to said fixed jaw, a threaded lead screw extending from said reaction member and engagable at one end with said shiftable jaw for positioning the latter relative to said fixed jaw, said lead screw having a non-circular end opposite to its said one end and said lead screw also having a radially extending collar intermediate its length, a housing rigidly and removably attached to and extending from said reaction member and having a bore and a larger threaded opening concentric therewith, means for attaching said housing to said reaction member including a pair of spaced apart plates clampingly engaging said fixed reaction member therebe- 8 tween, one of said plates threadably engaging said housing, a coupling threadably engaged in said threaded opening. said coupling having a bore therein concentric with said bore in said housing, said collar of said lead screw being slideable in said bore of said housing, and a piston located in said coupling and having an end extending therefrom, said end having means for attachment to an adjusting handle for rotating said piston, said piston also having a non-circular recess for the reception of said non-circular end of said lead screw whereby rotation of said piston also rotates said lead screw and whereby said lead screw can move axially reiative to said piston, said piston slideably located in the bore of said coupling to thereby form an expansible fluid chamber therewith, passage means extending to said chamber and through said coupling for introducing a pressurized fluid to said chamber to thereby cause axial sliding movement of said piston in said coupling and consequent axial movement of said lead screw whereby said shiftable jaw can be brought into clamping engagement with said fixed jaw. 

1. A workholding vise of the type having a base, a fixed jaw at one end of said base and a shiftable jaw slideably mounted on said base, a fixed thrust reaction member fixed to said base at the end thereof opposite to said fixed jaw, a threaded lead screw extending from said reaction member and engagable at one end with said shiftable jaw for positioning the latter relative to said fixed jaw, a housing attached to and extending from said reaction member and having a bore and a larger opening concentric therewith, a coupling securely engaged in said opening, said coupling having a bore therein which is concentric with said bore in said housing, said lead screw being slideable in said bore of said housing, and a piston located in said coupling and having an end extending therefrom, said end having means for attachment to an adjusting handle for rotating said piston, means for connecting said piston and said lead screw whereby rotation of said piston also rotates said lead screw and whereby said lead screw can move axially relative to said adjusting member, said piston slideably located in the bore of said coupling to thereby form an expansible fluid chamber therewith, passage means extending to said chamber and through said coupling for introducing a pressurized fluid to said chamber to thereby cause axial sliding movement of said piston in said coupling and consequent axial movement of said lead screw whereby Said shiftable jaw can be brought into clamping engagement with said fixed jaw.
 2. The vise set forth in claim 1 wherein lead screw has a non-circular end which is opposite to said one end and wherein said piston includes a non-circular recess in an end opposite the end having means for attachment to an adjustment handle, said recess receiving said non-circular end to comprise said means for connecting said piston and said lead screw.
 3. The vise set forth in claim 1 wherein said lead screw includes a radially extending annular collar intermediate its length, said collar being slideably received in the bore in said housing and wherein a spring means is disposed between said collar and said housing biasing said screw against said piston.
 4. The vise set forth in claim 1 including a pair of spaced apart attaching plates rigidly and removably attached to said reaction member, one of said plates having a threaded engagement with said housing for detachably securing said housing to said plate.
 5. A workholding vise of the type having a base, a fixed jaw at one end of said base and a shiftable jaw slideably mounted on said base, a fixed thrust reaction member fixed to said base at the end thereof opposite to said fixed jaw, a threaded lead screw extending from said reaction member and engagable at one end with said shiftable jaw for positioning the latter relative to said fixed jaw, said lead screw having a non-circular end opposite to its said one end and said lead screw also having a radially extending collar intermediate its length, a housing attached to and extending from said reaction member and having a bore and a larger threaded opening concentric therewith, a coupling threadably engaged in said threaded opening, said coupling having a bore therein concentric with said bore in said housing, and a piston located in said coupling and having an end extending therefrom, said end having means for attachment to an adjusting handle for rotating said piston, said piston also having a non-circular recess for the reception of said non-circular end of said lead screw whereby rotation of said piston also rotates said lead screw and whereby said lead screw can move axially relative to said piston, said piston slideably located in the bore of said coupling to thereby form an expansible fluid chamber therewith, passage means extending to said chamber and through said coupling for introducing a pressurized fluid to said chamber to thereby cause axial sliding movement of said piston in said coupling and consequent axial movement of said lead screw whereby said shiftable jaw can be brought into clamping engagement with said fixed jaw.
 6. The vise set forth in claim 1 including a pair of spaced apart attaching plates rigidly and removably attached to said reaction member, one of said plates having a threaded engagement with said housing for detachably securing said housing to said plate.
 7. A workholding vise of the type having a base, a fixed jaw at one end of said base and a shiftable jaw slideably mounted on said base, a fixed thrust reaction member fixed to said base at the end thereof opposite to said fixed jaw, a threaded lead screw extending from said reaction member and engagable at one end with said shiftable jaw for positioning the latter relative to said fixed jaw, said lead screw having a non-circular end opposite to its said one end and said lead screw also having a radially extending collar intermediate its length, a housing rigidly and removably attached to and extending from said reaction member and having a bore and a larger threaded opening concentric therewith, means for attaching said housing to said reaction member including a pair of spaced apart plates clampingly engaging said fixed reaction member therebetween, one of said plates threadably engaging said housing, a coupling threadably engaged in said threaded opening, said coupling having a bore therein concentric with said bore in said housing, said collar of said lead screw being slideable in said bOre of said housing, and a piston located in said coupling and having an end extending therefrom, said end having means for attachment to an adjusting handle for rotating said piston, said piston also having a non-circular recess for the reception of said non-circular end of said lead screw whereby rotation of said piston also rotates said lead screw and whereby said lead screw can move axially relative to said piston, said piston slideably located in the bore of said coupling to thereby form an expansible fluid chamber therewith, passage means extending to said chamber and through said coupling for introducing a pressurized fluid to said chamber to thereby cause axial sliding movement of said piston in said coupling and consequent axial movement of said lead screw whereby said shiftable jaw can be brought into clamping engagement with said fixed jaw. 